Inflame: A Grumpy Meets Sunshine Forbidden Romance (Toxic Desire Book 1) by Victoria Dawson

Author:Victoria Dawson [Dawson, Victoria]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Paper Heart Publishing LLC
Published: 2023-08-14T16:00:00+00:00

22

CLAIRE

I should be happy to have eight hundred dollars in cash to spend on myself. I haven’t had this kind of money up front since the last time my parents sent me some in the mail for school supplies and general expenses. Those days are over. This behavior from Ethan is new though. He also was the most affectionate toward me since he arrived here late last night. Yet, here I stand in the middle of the Forum Shops at Caesars with actual money to spend, feeling alone and neglected.

Maybe it’s guilt. The nagging thought in the back of my head is telling me to pocket the money and put it toward my own debt. As amazing as new spring sandals would feel right now, I need to be responsible toward my future. I walk around and shop with my eyes, taking in the fashions. Portland is a fun city, but some of these styles would make anyone stand out—and not for good reasons. I am naturally bold, but some of these are too wild, even for me.

I enjoy an organic strawberry smoothie near the aquarium attraction and check my texts for messages. Angie and Graham asked me to join them at the Paris Hotel, but I didn’t want to interrupt their special date night. Asking Nic to join me—while Ethan does whatever it is he is doing—now seems inappropriate. Why would my boyfriend not want to spend time with me?

When my feet hurt and my willpower is dwindling, I decide the best way to save money is to remove the temptation. I walk toward the exit and make my way into the cooling evening air. I check my phone again and see that it is almost ten o’clock. The lights on the strip are spectacular at night. It still stops me in my tracks no matter how many evenings I have enjoyed them.

At a slow pace, I get back to the Bellagio in twenty minutes, feeling a little sweaty and ready for a shower. The spa day with Angie was so relaxing that I do not want to negate the benefits of the massage and facial by letting my pores get dirty.

Earlier today, Ethan sent a worker up to my room to pack and deliver my belongings into his room. That’s what it feels like too. His room. At least he wants to stay together. Based on the way he has treated me thus far, I wasn’t exactly sure he would.

I knock on the door and then quickly remember that I have my own key. I put in the card, wait for the green lights, and then pull open the door.

Ethan and Nic are chatting at the table, poker chips scattered about the surface.

“What’s going on?” I ask.

“Come here, babe,” Ethan directs, opening his arms for me to move into them.

I look into his eyes for a hint as to why his mood has drastically changed. “Did you win?” I ask directly.

“In a way, yes?” he chuckles, glancing at Nic—who seems to lack any real emotion.

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